I hatched 5 chicks about 10 days ago. I had found an older post about checking wing feathers at 3-4 days of age (hens having more than roos). With that approach, I think I have 3 hens and 2 roos. I realize this isn't a guaranteed method or anything, but thought I'd try the early sexing just to see if it works.

But I've noticed that one of the BCM has major tail feathering going on that the other 4 do not. A recent post mentioned that a pullet will start getting tail feathers earlier than a cockerel. This scares me to think I have 4 roos and only 1 hen!

How much is breed a factor in how the feathering out takes place? I'm still going to contend that the first to hatch - the splash orp - is a roo. He's been nasty and mean since he hatched! What a shame as he's going to be gorgeous, but he can't stick around if he's mean.

Anyways, just looking for comments on the feathering out of chicks and their relation to their gender. Again, it's more just for fun to see these methods/theories work.

I have heard the same thing, but (to add to to the hear-say) I have also heard that it is very breed dependent. Sometimes there is no difference between male and female feathering. I am not sure with the breeds you hatched. (fun hatch by the way).

I just hatched a BCM and the breeder knew the day he was hatched when I showed her the picture because of the leg coloring(I think black means roo or white, IDK something with the legs), but his comb started growing very fast. Hes only 3 weeks old and has a significant comb. Hope that helps with the BCMs!